Meme

I found this on my secret pal's blog so I tapped myself...

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was living in crappy Navy housing in Monterey California with my husband, oldest daughter, adorable cat and our newborn daughter of just 25 days old! She was a screamer so I was probably looking very haggard and desperate for sleep.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
I was living in Virginia Beach and recovering from my father's recent death.

What were you doing 1 hour ago?
Snuggling in bed with the hubby and telling the rise and shine police (my youngest, who is still a hellion) to go away

List five creative things you want to achieve this year:
1. My wedding album that I am scrapbooking

2. Learn to do steeking

3. Finish my crayon box jacket

4. Dare I say it, the dreaded moboeus cast on? Mobius cast on? Mobyus cast on? Awww, you know what I mean. (I stole that from my secret pal)

5. Some damn good photography of my garden

List five snacks you enjoy:
1. CHOCOLATE!!!!!!

2. Flake bars-that's different and imported chocolate

3. lobster-trust me, it could be

4. Sour cream and onion chips

5. Cheese and crackers

List five things you would do if money were no object:
1. Buy my house in Kempsville Virginia Beach and make it our dream home

2. Buy another getaway house down in the Duck area of North Carolina

3. Take all of our adult friends and rent a few houses in Hawaii and party it up for a week, as well as hire a few dozen qualified nannies to take care of all of the kids at home

4. Get every school system in the US laptop computers for every student and training for all staff and teachers

5. Buy at least 10 books for every kid in the world

List five bad habits:
1. Overeating

2. Not replying to my email

3. Overspending

4. Not exercising

5. Being overcommitted-I have raise my hand syndrome

List five things you like doing:
1. Knitting

2. Photography

3. Hunting for covered bridges

4. Antiquing

5. Buying books

List five favorite gadgets:
1. My Minolta Maxxumm camera

2. Cell phone

3. Blender

4. My computer

5. My palm pilot when it's working

Name one thing you like about yourself:
I am very flexible-not physically but generally in my life

My tappees for this meme are Anyone who reads this but especially the secret pal who has me.

The cat returns today...The mice stop playing

Well the hubby's been gone all week on a business trip to Japan. I was really tempted to make him find me some Noro but I felt a bit guilty since I knew my Knitpicks order was coming in this week plus, darling that he is, he's rather clueless and not inspired in the fiber department See what I mean? This is us when we started dating so I had no wardrobe input and believe me, after being together for over 18 years, his independent thought process on fiber has not changed. Why they don't make garanimals for men is beyond me. So if you think I'm going to let this misguided but well meaning man independently pick out yarn for me in a foreign country, well that proves you are crazier than me. BTW the US Navy and I dress him now, see, much better.

Speaking of truly horrid knitwear. I came across thistoday. Gotta see this one. That is one angry cat!! I surprised there's not blood dripping off the picture from being mauled by the cat. The site is hilarious.

The jaywalking sock is moving along. I scanned it in so it's not great but you can see I'm almost up to toe decreases on Sock #1.

Forgot to mention why I wanted Noro. I've become obsessed with booga bags. I knit one up right before Christmas. This is pre felted. In the process of felting and this is the finished product. So now of course, I want to knit many more!!

As you can see, I've done some redecorating around here. Doing Secret Pal 7 has encouraged me to learn more about blogging and I've been looking at what others put in their blogs. So I'm in the trial stages right now. It's a bit cluttered and will probably stay that way until I decide what I like and don't like. My friends think it kind of resembles my house: lots of nifty stuff, some organization, and some of it has to go.

So here's my newest poll... Socks:DPN or CircsLet me know your thoughts. I've only done DPNs (Double Pointed needles and never tried circulars, or circs.

On a last note...I have been having issues learning to scan and post up pictures in a correct size so have patience if they are too big or too small. The learning curve is improving! Good Weekend all!!

Overcommitted Knitter

Well, I'm officially swamped. OTN-the ruffles scarf from Scarfstyle that is turning into a UFO because I'm bored with it, crayon box jacket that has 2 sleeves complete and 6 squares of the main body-just need a break from it, and now jaywalkers in Brown Sheep's Wildfoote in Geranium. Started those last Saturday and am up to the heel flap on the first one. I've entered Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics and plan on knitting my first real shawl, Koigu's Charlotte's Web Shawl. But wait I'm not done, I plan on knitting another pair of felted slippers for my friend, Michelle, but these are a no brainer since I can whip these out in under 24 hours. Did I mention the baby blanket, the one in Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook? I've ordered the yarn from that in my first knitpicks order in Shine twist seaside. AND I finally decided to knit a sweater. I'm taking a class at Yarniverse with Ann. I'm going to be making a sweater for the ages from Yarn Girls' Guide to Beyond the Basics in [shocker] Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece in Prairie Lupine. Guilt has also hit me and I need to turn out a booga bag for a friend. I want to sign up for Alison's Sockapaloooza since those aren't due until May 1st. Oh yeah, I also discovered the Panta and want to pop out one of those. Is there an asylum for knitters? I need reservations!!!!

Here I can show that I really do finish projects.
The green mittens are a pattern from Ann Norling and knit with Cascade 220 Quatro #9434. The bluish mittens are the same yarn but in 9439 and they were a pattern from Family Circle's easy Knitting Fall 2005 issue. Yarniverse's Charlotte Parry designed them and taught a class back in October/November. Have an autographed copy of the magazine from her! Thanks Charlotte! BTW these were my Christmas gifts to my sisters-in-law in Boston and Maine.

Ok, I think I need to knit!NOW!!!!

Knitting Book Poll

I found a site this morning to make a free poll. So here it is! Favorite Knitting Books These are a list of my favorite knitting books but if yours isn't listed on there, vote other and come let me know what it is on my comments!

This week's knitting

Well the crayon box jacket is moving along. I'm still on a film camera and my USB port has issues so pictures will come along eventually. For now, I have 2 sleeves and 6 boxes on the bottom row. Progress!!

So then I got bored. I knit up a shawl in Joann's Movie Shawl II pattern using some Muench or GGh Marathon in a light blue variegated that I had intended to use for Fiber Trend's Shoalwater Shawl and some Muench Soft Kid in color #72. It looks like a soft denim wrap and I love it.

I was talking to Charlotte Parry at Yarniverse and we thought about starting Grumperina's Jaywalking socks. So I went home and went through my sock yarn stash. I think I'm screwed. I have lots and lots of Lorna's Lace that I stocked up on before moving here but that only gives me 430 yards for 2 skeins, which is of course what I have. I'm not sure if this will be enough. I then move on to my Koigu collection. More problems-again all in lovely pairs but some are reserved for water bottle slings after the immediate family went ballistic that my brothers-in-law were getting the ones I made before Christmas. Not that they don't like them, they just wanted the slings-greedy people, not like they wear the socks I made for them... Anyways, as Lorna's 2 skeins are definitely not going to be enough here. So....

The hubby has been working late all week and is one of the seven dwarfs (not Sleepy, Dopey, Sneezey, Bashful, Doc, or Happy). Today we are going for our monthly massage and lunch date at Serenity Day Spa and I've managed to weasel a trip to Yarniverse in Cordova to muse over sock yarn. Yipee a sanctioned, approved stash building trip!

So still being bored, I started a pair of felted, intarsia checkerboard slippers for my sister in law's birthday in Brown Sheep's Bulky with Pine Shadows as my main color and Sunburst Gold and Roasted Coffee as contrast. Nice, earthy colors for the lady whom my daughter calls, a hippie. And a very cool one at that, I say! I finished one last night. I plan on sending them to her unfelted and let her do that part so I know they fit. She's an artist and pretty crafty. She'll love it.

Secret Pal 7

Hello all! I am finally trying out Secret Pal 7. I've always missed the sign ups deadline but this time I got my stuff together and got in! I'll post the button up soon. In fact I need to update and do lots of buttons on my sidebar. But for now, here's the questionnaire to help my secret pal!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Yeah, I admit that I am. I will use acrylic blends though.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I tried spinning with a drop spindle. I like carding but spinning was more than my little brain could handle. I've avoided crocheting simply because I'm afraid of doubling my supply of patterns! I will need to learn absolute basics though because the crayon box jacket that I'm doing requires a single chain along the inside neck for reinforcement.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?I have 3 cases: 1 for my straights, 1 for my circs and I keep my DPNs in a case I use to keep my tools like my measuring tape, CIBI needles, etc.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Well. I originally learned to knit back in another century, '95 to be exact, when my husband went on a 6 month deployment. I knitted a baby blanket for my oldest daughter, then 2 1/2 and started one for my next daughter with whom I was pregnant. After second daughter I stopped knitting and didn't start again until 2004. I started again as a way to help my weight loss because I tend to eat when I'm bored. I consider myself almost an intermediate knitter. I can knit socks, cables, a little fair isle but I've yet to do a real sweater.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes I do under castelfam.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I tend to like vanillas, cranberries, any food ones really.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I do have a major sweet tooth but I'm on a diet now and sugar free stuff isn't the same.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?I took private photography lessons in Newport, Rhode Island and I'm just discovering fun areas in Memphis. I also read a lot and I like to cook.


9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)It's easier to say that I'm not a big fan of rap, country, 70's and gospel. I like 80's, hard rock, 50's and 60's, and soft rock. My computer can play MP3's but I don't have an IPOD and we have some USB cord issues right now. So CD is better.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?I tend to decorate with blues, white and yellows. I tend to wear hot pinks and reds. I usually knit for myself with blues and greens but for the crayon box jacket I forced myself into the red, gold and blacks because I liked the look. I usually avoid orange unless it's a pinky orange.


11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?Married with 2 daughters ages 10 & 13, husband currently at home. I say that not because we have any problems but because he's in the Navy. His current job is a shore one though so aside from a few short trips, he isn't going anywhere for a long period of time. Also have an 11 year old black and white cat,Zoe.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?I like thin accessorizing scarves (don't need the warm ones in this part of Tennessee). I don't usually wear hats but I like to knit them. I'll wear mittens and I don't own nor have I ever knitted a poncho but I'd love to do either.


13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?I absolutely adore Lorna's Lace but no one in the Memphis area sells the sock yarn. I love Koigu, Noro, and Brown Sheep. I'd like to knit with Dale of Norway Baby Uhl because I've heard so much about it.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?I really don't like the feel of Red Heart. I also tried Classic Elite Flash and hated it. Fiberwise, so far I like everything.


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? I'm back into the trendy scarf yarns but not for scarves. I took a class with Chris Bylsma for the crayon box jacket and learned how to utilize these yarns in so many other ways than scarves. So that stash is growing again. I still adore sock yarns.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?That depends on the moment. I love socks and mittens. I just knitted a booga bag and want to knit a bunch more. I plan on knitting a bunch of felted intarsia slippers from Knit One, Felt Too. I'm only done with the sleeves of my crayon box jacket but I'm planning the next. I'm all over the map on this one.


17. What are you knitting right now?LOL - Chris Bylsma's Crayon Box jacket in reds, black and gold. Also becoming a UFO is a ruffles scarf from Scarfstyle. I'm bored with it.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?I haven't received many but yes!!


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?Either

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?Bamboo definitely


21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No but I'd love one

22. How did you learn to knit?I took a class at The Knitting Corner in Virginia Beach both times in '95 and 2004 from a wonderful lady, Carol, who passed away from cancer last year. Also took a sock class there.


23. How old is your oldest UFO? The unfinished baby blanket from my first knitting class, my second project. It's about 10 years old. But besides the ruffles scarf, that's the only UFO I have.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?I love cats mostly and it's scary to say but my favorite animated character is probably Chef from South Park.

25. What is your favorite holiday?I really love them all. I'm more of a "Happy Everything" kind of gal but I own more Christmas decorations than any other holiday.

26. Is there anything that you collect?More like what don't I!! I have Cat's Meow wood cutouts from places we've lived and visited, I collect depression glass in the pineapple and floral pattern. I collect blue willow china from before 1910-1920. I also collect Canton china. I have my dad's collection of Tom Clark gnomes. I have my collection and have started ones for my daughters of the Hallmark Christmas ornaments.


27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?Creative Knitting, Interweave, Cast On..Can't remember if I have Vogue Knitting.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Sweaters from Camp by Meg Swansen, Traditional Fair Isle knitting by Sheila McGregor and the original "Harry Potter" sweater pattern from Rowan.


29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?How to do steeks and bobbles

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?Yes I am a sock knitter. I'm a US size 7 1/2. I'll measure my foot soon.


31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)08/23

Reboot!

Well I certainly let this blog lapse! I guess the big news is that the navy moved us this summer to Germantown, Tennessee, right outside of Memphis. I miss the ocean but I love this area, 4 knitting stores and 1 has 2 locations!!! So really 5.

My knitting has been prolific. I'll be getting more pictures up but since June I finished the Einstein coat, learned to knit mittens and knit 3 pairs, knit 2 water bottle holders, started Chris Bylsma's Crayon Box jacket in reds, blacks, and gold.


Here are the sleeves so far. I've also knitted a pair of felted intarsia slippers from Knit One, Felt Too.

I've also knitted 2 hats for my nieces.
I'll be trying to keep this blog updated with 2 or 3 entries a week. My New Year's Resolution(wink, wink)...